Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2023 / Notices 56851 

1969, today’s maritime pilots have 

better communications and awareness 

of the locations of other vessels 

navigating in the vicinity of Smith 

Point. These pilots have safely 

coordinated large vessel traffic despite 

not being able to use the TSS as 

designed. 

Due to the increase in size and draft 

of typical cargo vessels since the Smith 

Point TSS was first identified on the 

charts in 1969, depths in the northbound and south-bound vessel traffic 

lanes are inadequate for modern deep 

draft vessels transiting through this area 

and today’s larger vessels can no longer 

use the routing measure as designed. 

The natural bottom contours of the Bay 

provide the greatest depths in the center 

of the southbound lane of the TSS. See 

Figures 2 & 3 in the Figures document 

in the docket. And while the Inland 

Navigational Rules (eCFR, 2023) provide 

that a vessel shall, so far as practicable, 

avoid crossing traffic lanes, larger 

inbound vessels must use the opposing 

outbound lane of the Smith Point TSS 

to avoid the risk of grounding. This 

scenario leads to a traffic pattern 

contrary to the charted routing measure 

and not in accordance with Rule 10 of 

the Inland Rules, which may actually 

increase the risk of collisions. As the 

Smith Point TSS appears to be 

counterproductive today, we are seeking 

public comments regarding its 

continued need. 

If after consideration of the comments 

received we determine that the Smith 

Point TSS should be removed from 

nautical charts and publications, we 

will then reestablish the current Smith 

Point Fairway Lighted Buoy SP (LLNR 

7490), which marks the turning point of 

the TSS separation zone, as the Smith 

Point Lighted Buoy SP, a white and red 

striped Safe Water Buoy. The light will 

change from yellow to white with Morse 

Code ‘‘A’’ flash characteristic. We also 

seek public comment from waterway 

users on the Coast Guard’s plan to 

change the signal and meaning of this 

buoy. 

III. Information Requested 

If you believe there is some reason the 

Smith Point TSS should be retained, 

please let us know that and provide us 

with your reasoning for wanting to keep 

it in place. Please include comments 

regarding the potential impacts of this 

possible change and any other concerns 

that you may have regarding the Smith 

Point TSS. 

IV. Public Participation and Request for 

Comments 

We encourage you to submit 

comments in response to this 

notification of inquiry through the 

Federal Decision Making portal at 

https://www.regulations.gov. To do so, 

go to https://www.regulations.gov, type 

USCG–2023–0330 in the search box and 

click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, look for this 

document in the Search Results column, 

and click on it. Then click on the 

Comment option. In your submission, 

please include the docket number for 

this notification of inquiry and provide 

a reason for each suggestion or 

recommendation. If your material 

cannot be submitted using https://

www.regulations.gov, contact the person 

in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACT section of this document for 

alternate instructions. 

To view documents mentioned in this 

notification of inquiry as being available 

in the docket, find the docket as 

described in the previous paragraph, 

and then select ‘‘Supporting & Related 

Material’’ in the Document Type 

column. Public comments will also be 

placed in our online docket and can be 

viewed by following instructions on the 

https://www.regulations.gov Frequently 

Asked Questions web page. We review 

all comments received, but we may 

choose not to post off-topic, 

inappropriate, or duplicate comments 

that we receive. 

We accept anonymous comments. 

Comments we post to https://

www.regulations.gov will include any 

personal information you have 

provided. For more about privacy and 

submissions in response to this 

document, see DHS’s eRulemaking 

System of Records notice (85 FR 14226, 

March 11, 2020). 

We do not plan to hold a public 

meeting to receive oral comments on 

this notification of inquiry; however, 

should the need arise, we will announce 

the date, time, and location in a separate 

document published in the Federal 

Register. If you have signed up for 

docket email alerts mentioned in the 

paragraph above, you will receive an 

email notice when the public meeting 

notice is published and placed in the 

docket. 

This document is issued under 

authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a). 

Dated: August 15, 2023. 

Mary Ellen J. Durley, 

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting 

Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District. 

[FR Doc. 2023–17849 Filed 8–18–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9110–04–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement 

[Docket No. ICEB–2023–0003] 

RIN 1653–ZA40 

Employment Authorization for 

Ukrainian F–1 Nonimmigrant Students 

Experiencing Severe Economic 

Hardship as a Direct Result of the 

Current Armed Conflict in Ukraine 

AGENCY: U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement; Department of Homeland 

Security. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces that 

the Secretary of Homeland Security 

(Secretary) is suspending certain 

regulatory requirements for F–1 

nonimmigrant students whose country 

of citizenship is Ukraine, regardless of 

country of birth (or individuals having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Ukraine), and who are 

experiencing severe economic hardship 

as a direct result of the current armed 

conflict in Ukraine. The Secretary is 

taking action to provide relief to these 

Ukrainian students who are in lawful F– 

1 nonimmigrant student status, so the 

students may request employment 

authorization, work an increased 

number of hours while school is in 

session, and reduce their course load 

while continuing to maintain their F–1 

nonimmigrant student status. The U.S. 

Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS) will deem an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student granted employment 

authorization by means of this notice to 

be engaged in a ‘‘full course of study’’ 

for the duration of the employment 

authorization, if the nonimmigrant 

student satisfies the minimum course 

load requirement described in this 

notice. 

DATES: This action is effective October 

20, 2023, through April 19, 2025. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sharon Snyder, Unit Chief, Policy and 

Response Unit, Student and Exchange 

Visitor Program, MS 5600, U.S. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 

500 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 

20536–5600. email: sevp@ice.dhs.gov, 

telephone: (703) 603–3400. This is not 

a toll-free number. Program information 

can be found at https://www.ice.gov/ 

sevis/. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
56852 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2023 / Notices 

1Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of April 19, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

2 Karl Ritter and Geir Moulson, US: Russia has 

committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine, The 

Associated Press (AP), Feb. 18, 2023, available at 

https://apnews.com/article/us-russia-ukrainecrimes-against-humanity-harris-cee87f06cbf3fcdf37

e0bb398360c8ee (last viewed Apr. 17, 2023). 

3 International Rescue Committee Watchlist 2023: 

The top 10 crises the world can’t ignore in 2023, 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC), Dec. 14, 

2022, available at https://www.rescue.org/article/ 

top-10-crises-world-cant-ignore-2023 (last visited 

Mar. 31, 2023). 

4Operational Data Portal: Ukraine Refugee 

Situation, UNHCR, available at https://

data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine (last visited 

August 8, 2023). 

5Current migration flows from Ukraine, Centre 

for Research & Analysis of Migration, last updated 

Feb. 14, 2023, available at https://creammigration.org/ukraine-detail.htm?article=3573 (last 

visited Apr. 11, 2023). 

6Ukraine Humanitarian Response—Key 

Achievements in 2022 Situation Report, United 

Nations Office for the Coordination of 

Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), last updated Feb. 10, 

2023, available at https://reports.unocha.org/en/ 

country/ukraine/ (last visited Apr. 14, 2023). 

7Matt Bernardini and Darryl Coote, U.S. 

announces $2.6 billion in new military aid to 

Ukraine, United Press International (UPI), Apr. 4, 

2023, available at https://www.upi.com/Top_News/ 

US/2023/04/04/Ukraine-Russia-military-aid/

4281680633050/#:∼:text=April%204%20%28UPI

%29%20--%20The%20White%20House

%20announced,of%20air-defense%20systems%2C

%20mortar%20systems%2C%20and%20antiarmor%20systems (last visited Apr. 14, 2023). 

8The World Bank in Ukraine, The World Bank, 

available at https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/ 

ukraine/overview (last visited on Apr. 14, 2023). 

9The Latest: War in Ukraine, Zelenskyy Asks Top 

Finance Officials to Increase Economic Support for 

Ukraine, The New York Times, Apr. 12, 2023, 

available at https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/04/ 

12/world/russia-ukraine-news (last visited on Apr. 

14, 2023). 

10World Bank Group Support to Ukraine report, 

The World Bank, available at https://

thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/50b29fa867fbd7

af6fb96ed5c3dd2513-0080012023/original/WorldBank-Group-Support-to-Ukraine.pdf (last visited on 

Apr. 14, 2023). 

11The World Factbook, Central Intelligence 

Agency (CIA), Mar. 28, 2023, available at https://

www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ukraine/

#economy (last visited Apr. 4, 2023). 

What action is DHS taking under this 

notice? 

The Secretary is exercising authority 

under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9) to temporarily 

suspend the applicability of certain 

requirements governing on-campus and 

off-campus employment for F–1 

nonimmigrant students whose country 

of citizenship is Ukraine regardless of 

country of birth (or individuals having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Ukraine), who are present in 

the United States in lawful F–1 

nonimmigrant student status on the date 

of publication of this notice, and who 

are experiencing severe economic 

hardship as a direct result of current 

armed conflict in Ukraine. The original 

notice, which applied to F–1 

nonimmigrant students who met certain 

criteria, including having been lawfully 

present in the United States in F–1 

nonimmigrant status on April 19, 2022, 

was effective from April 19, 2022, 

through October 19, 2023. See 87 FR 

23189 (Apr. 19, 2022). Effective with 

this publication, suspension of the 

employment limitations is available 

through April 19, 2025, for those who 

are in lawful F–1 nonimmigrant status 

on the date of publication of this notice. 

DHS will deem an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student granted employment 

authorization through this notice to be 

engaged in a ‘‘full course of study’’ for 

the duration of the employment 

authorization, if the student satisfies the 

minimum course load set forth in this 

notice.1 See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(F). 

Who is covered by this notice? 

This notice applies exclusively to F– 

1 nonimmigrant students who meet all 

of the following conditions: 

(1) Are a citizen of Ukraine regardless 

of country of birth (or an individual 

having no nationality who last 

habitually resided in Ukraine); 

(2) Were lawfully present in the 

United States on the date of publication 

of this notice in F–1 nonimmigrant 

status under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of 

the Immigration and Nationality Act 

(INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i); 

(3) Are enrolled in an academic 

institution that is Student and Exchange 

Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified for 

enrollment for F–1 nonimmigrant 

students; 

(4) Are currently maintaining F–1 

nonimmigrant status; and 

(5) Are experiencing severe economic 

hardship as a direct result of the current 

armed conflict in Ukraine. 

This notice applies to F–1 

nonimmigrant students in an approved 

private school in kindergarten through 

grade 12, public school grades 9 through 

12, and undergraduate and graduate 

education. An F–1 nonimmigrant 

student covered by this notice who 

transfers to another SEVP-certified 

academic institution remains eligible for 

the relief provided by means of this 

notice. 

Why is DHS taking this action? 

DHS is taking action to provide relief 

to Ukrainian F–1 nonimmigrant 

students experiencing severe economic 

hardship due to the current armed 

conflict in Ukraine. Based on its review 

of country conditions in Ukraine and 

input received from the U.S. 

Department of State (DOS), DHS is 

taking action to allow eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant students from Ukraine to 

request employment authorization, 

work an increased number of hours 

while school is in session, and reduce 

their course load while continuing to 

maintain F–1 nonimmigrant status. 

On February 24, 2022, the 

Government of the Russian Federation, 

launched an unprovoked full-scale 

invasion of Ukraine.2 According to the 

United Nations Refugee Agency 

(UNHCR), the armed conflict in Ukraine 

has sparked the world’s largest human 

displacement crisis in Europe since 

World War II.3

More than a year later, over 17.7 

million people are in need of assistance, 

and more than 6.2 million refugees, 

mostly women, children, and elderly 

people, left Ukraine and were recorded 

to be residing in cities across Europe 

and beyond.4 According to the Centre 

for Research & Analysis of Migration 

(CReAM), over five million Ukrainians 

have registered for Temporary 

Protection, or similar national 

protection schemes, in Europe in the 

last year.5 6

Economy 

The current armed conflict has 

significantly impacted Ukraine’s 

economic growth and has led to massive 

fiscal reallocations toward defense 

funding.7 Since the beginning of the 

full-scale invasion, 35 percent of 

Ukrainians have fled their homes. Data 

from the World Bank indicates that 8 

million Ukrainians now live in poverty, 

reversing 15 years of development gains 

and resulting in a 15-year setback in 

poverty reduction goals.8 Economic 

disruptions, combined with heavy 

internal displacement and flows of 

refugees, have caused unprecedented 

economic loses, prompting President 

Zelenskyy to seek additional economic 

support and aid for Ukraine.9

According to the World Bank Group 

Support to Ukraine Report, Ukraine’s 

economy shrank by 30 percent in 2022. 

This is due to loss and destruction of 

infrastructure, damage to agricultural 

land, and a significant labor shortage.10

The inflation rate has increased more 

than threefold, from 2.73 percent in 

2020 to 9.36 percent in 2021.11

In a report titled Analysis: 2022 

Economic Results for Ukraine, Prospects 

for 2023, by the Kyiv Post, the 

unemployment rate for Ukraine was 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2023 / Notices 56853 

12The impact of the Ukraine crisis on the world 

of work: Initial assessments, International Labour 

Organization (ILO), May 11, 2022, available at 

https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/--- 

europe/---ro-geneva/documents/briefingnote/wcms_

844295.pdf (last visited Apr. 11, 2023). 

13Ukraine: Russian Invasion Causing Widespread 

Suffering for Civilians, Accountability for Apparent 

War Crimes, Other Abuses Crucial, Human Rights 

Watch (HRW), available at https://www.hrw.org/

news/2023/01/12/ukraine-russian-invasioncausing-widespread-suffering-civilians (last visited 

Mar. 24, 2023). 

14PM Shmyhal: Sum of infrastructure damages 

has reached $104B, Ukrinform, June 18, 2022, 

available at https://www.ukrinform.net/rubriceconomy/3509806-pm-shmyhal-sum-ofinfrastructure-damages-has-reached-104b.html (last 

visited Apr. 10, 2023). 

15The total amount of documented damages has 

reached $108.3 billion, minimum recovery needs 

for destroyed assets—$185 billion, Kyiv School of 

Economics, Aug. 2, 2022, available at https://

kse.ua/about-the-school/news/the-total-amount-ofdocumented-damages-has-reached-108-3-billionminimum-recovery-needs-for-destroyed-assets-185- 

billion/ (last visited Mar. 24, 2023). 

16Assessing the Impact of Russia’s War against 

Ukraine on Eastern Partner Countries, Organisation 

for Economic Cooperation and Development 

(OECD), Jan. 21, 2023, available at https://

www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/946a936c-en/

index.html?itemId=/content/publication/946a936cen (last visited Apr. 12, 2023). 

17Ukraine: Russian Invasion Causing Widespread 

Suffering for Civilians Accountability for Apparent 

War Crimes, Other Abuses Crucial, Human Rights 

Watch, Jan. 12, 2023, available at https://

www.hrw.org/news/2023/01/12/ukraine-russianinvasion-causing-widespread-suffering-civilians 

(last visited on Apr. 17, 2023). 

18Ukraine: civilian casualty update, United 

Nations Human Rights Office of High Commissioner 

(OHCHR), Apr. 10, 2023, available at https://

www.ohchr.org/en/news/2023/04/ukraine-civiliancasualty-update-10-april-2023 (last visited Apr. 12, 

2023). 

19Ukraine: civilian casualty update, OHCHR, 

Apr. 10, 2023, available at https://www.ohchr.org/ 

en/news/2023/04/ukraine-civilian-casualty-update10-april-2023 (last visited Apr. 12, 2023). 

20U.S. Dep’t of State, 2022 Country Reports on 

Human Rights Practices: Ukraine, available at 

https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reportson-human-rights-practices/ukraine/ (last visited 

Apr. 12, 2023). 

21Report on the Human Rights Situation in 

Ukraine, OHCHR, Mar. 24, 2023, available at 

https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukrainehumanitarian-needs-overview-2023-december-2022- 

enuk (last visited August 3, 2023). 

22War in Ukraine One Year On, Nowhere Safe, 

The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project 

(ACLED), Mar. 1, 2023, available at https://

acleddata.com/2023/03/01/war-in-ukraine-oneyear-on-nowhere-safe/ (last visited Apr. 13, 2023). 

24.5 percent at the end of December 

2022, compared to an estimated 8.9 

percent in 2021. The International 

Labour Organization (ILO) assessed 4.8 

million jobs have been lost since the 

beginning of the full-scale invasion, 

which is equivalent to 30 percent of pre2022 employment in Ukraine.12 Russia’s 

full-scale invasion of Ukraine has 

resulted in a significant negative impact 

on the Ukrainian economy and has 

further slowed its growth and 

development. 

Impact of the Conflict on Critical 

Infrastructure 

Critical infrastructure has been 

negatively impacted by Russia’s fullscale invasion of Ukraine.13 Water 

systems have either been damaged or 

destroyed, aggravating hardship for the 

local population. At least 45 million 

square meters of housing, more than 

1,200 educational institutions, and 656 

hospitals have been destroyed and/or 

damaged. Nearly 25,000 kilometers of 

roads, 300 bridges, and 12 airports have 

also been destroyed or damaged due to 

Russian air strikes.14

According to research from the Kyiv 

School of Economics, Russia’s full-scale 

invasion of Ukraine has caused $108.3 

billion in damage to the country’s 

infrastructure, with the minimum 

recovery cost estimated to be well over 

$180 billion.15 Additionally, Russia’s 

full-scale invasion continues to disrupt 

the global supply of commodities and 

has sharply increased food and energy 

prices across the globe, further 

challenging global economic recovery 

tactics from the COVID–19 pandemic.16

While Ukraine continues to confront 

this crisis, many persons in Ukraine 

continue to have limited access to 

safety, healthcare, food, water, and 

economic opportunity. 

Population Harmed 

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale 

invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the armed 

conflict has significantly impacted the 

civilian population.17 The Office of the 

UN High Commissioner for Human 

Rights (OHCHR) has recorded 22,734 

civilian casualties in the country: 8,490 

killed and 14,244 injured.18 OHCHR 

further stated that the majority of the 

recorded civilian casualties were caused 

by explosive weapons with wide area 

effects, including shelling from heavy 

artillery, multiple launch rocket 

systems, missiles, and air strikes.19 The 

U.S. Department of State’s 2022 Country 

Report on Human Rights Practices in 

Ukraine detailed that Russia’s forces 

continue to mine roads, streets, fields, 

urban structures such as hospitals and 

civic centers, as well as household 

objects.20

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) stated on 

February 24, 2023, that the magnitude of 

the destruction across Ukraine is 

massive. Thousands of Ukrainians have 

died, and millions have been forced to 

flee their homes. 

The UNOCHA (OCHA) issued the 

Humanitarian Needs Overview 2023 

report, which reviews the impact of 

Landmines/Explosive Remnants of War 

(ERW). The report concluded that an 

estimated 25 percent of Ukraine’s land 

area has been exposed to armed conflict 

activity since February 2022. The report 

also estimated that over 250,000 

explosive devices have been removed 

and destroyed since March 2022, with 

millions more yet to be removed.21

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine 

continues to place civilians at 

substantial risk of physical harm, 

leaving many stranded or unable to flee 

Ukraine due to rising violence, the 

damage and destruction of bridges and 

roads, and lack of resources or 

information on where to find safety and 

shelter.22

As of August 8, 2023, approximately 

2,425 F–1 nonimmigrant students from 

Ukraine are enrolled at SEVP-certified 

academic institutions in the United 

States. Given the extent of the current 

armed conflict in Ukraine, affected 

students whose primary means of 

financial support comes from Ukraine 

may need to be exempt from the normal 

student employment requirements to 

continue their studies in the United 

States. The current armed conflict has 

made it unfeasible for many students to 

safely return to Ukraine for the 

foreseeable future. Without employment 

authorization, these students may lack 

the means to meet basic living expenses. 

What is the minimum course load 

requirement to maintain valid F–1 

nonimmigrant status under this notice? 

Undergraduate F–1 nonimmigrant 

students who receive on-campus or offcampus employment authorization 

under this notice must remain registered 

for a minimum of six semester or 

quarter hours of instruction per 

academic term. Undergraduate F–1 

nonimmigrant students enrolled in a 

term of different duration must register 

for at least one half of the credit hours 

normally required under a ‘‘full course 

of study.’’ See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(B) 

and (F). A graduate-level F–1 

nonimmigrant student who receives oncampus or off-campus employment 

authorization under this notice must 

remain registered for a minimum of 

three semester or quarter hours of 

instruction per academic term. See 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v). Nothing in this 

notice affects the applicability of other 

minimum course load requirements set 

by the academic institution. 

In addition, an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student (either undergraduate or 

graduate) granted on-campus or offcampus employment authorization 

under this notice may count up to the 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
56854 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2023 / Notices 

23Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of April 19, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

24See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

equivalent of one class or three credits 

per session, term, semester, trimester, or 

quarter of online or distance education 

toward satisfying this minimum course 

load requirement, unless their course of 

study is in an English language study 

program. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G). An 

F–1 nonimmigrant student attending an 

approved private school in kindergarten 

through grade 12 or public school in 

grades 9 through 12 must maintain 

‘‘class attendance for not less than the 

minimum number of hours a week 

prescribed by the school for normal 

progress toward graduation,’’ as 

required under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(E). 

Nothing in this notice affects the 

applicability of federal and state labor 

laws limiting the employment of 

minors. 

May an eligible F–1 nonimmigrant 

student who already has on-campus or 

off-campus employment authorization 

benefit from the suspension of 

regulatory requirements under this 

notice? 

Yes. An F–1 nonimmigrant student 

who is a Ukrainian citizen, regardless of 

country of birth (or an individual having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Ukraine), who already has 

on-campus or off-campus employment 

authorization and is otherwise eligible 

may benefit under this notice, which 

suspends certain regulatory 

requirements relating to the minimum 

course load requirement under 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(6)(i) and certain employment 

eligibility requirements under 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(9). Such an eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant student may benefit 

without having to apply for a new Form 

I–766, Employment Authorization 

Document (EAD). To benefit from this 

notice, the F–1 nonimmigrant student 

must request that their designated 

school official (DSO) enter the following 

statement in the remarks field of the 

student’s Student and Exchange Visitor 

Information System (SEVIS) record, 

which the student’s Form I–20, 

Certificate of Eligibility for 

Nonimmigrant (F–1) Student Status, 

will reflect: 

Approved for more than 20 hours per 

week of [DSO must insert ‘‘on-campus’’ 

or ‘‘off-campus,’’ depending upon the 

type of employment authorization the 

student already has] employment 

authorization and reduced course load 

under the Special Student Relief 

authorization from [DSO must insert the 

beginning date of the notice or the 

beginning date of the student’s 

employment, whichever date is later] 

until [DSO must insert either the 

student’s program end date, the current 

EAD expiration date (if the student is 

currently authorized for off-campus 

employment), or the end date of this 

notice, whichever date comes first].23

Must the F–1 nonimmigrant student 

apply for reinstatement after expiration 

of this special employment 

authorization if the student reduces his 

or her ‘‘full course of study’’? 

No. DHS will deem an F–1 

nonimmigrant student who receives and 

comports with the employment 

authorization permitted under this 

notice to be engaged in a ‘‘full course of 

study’’ 24 for the duration of the 

student’s employment authorization, 

provided that a qualifying 

undergraduate level F–1 nonimmigrant 

student remains registered for a 

minimum of six semester or quarter 

hours of instruction per academic term, 

and a qualifying graduate level F–1 

nonimmigrant student remains 

registered for a minimum of three 

semester or quarter hours of instruction 

per academic term. See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(5)(v) and (f)(6)(i)(F). 

Undergraduate F–1 nonimmigrant 

students enrolled in a term of different 

duration must register for at least one 

half of the credit hours normally 

required under a ‘‘full course of study.’’ 

See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(B) and (F). DHS 

will not require such students to apply 

for reinstatement under 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(16) if they are otherwise 

maintaining F–1 nonimmigrant status. 

Will an F–2 dependent (spouse or 

minor child) of an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student covered by this notice be 

eligible for employment authorization? 

No. An F–2 spouse or minor child of 

an F–1 nonimmigrant student is not 

authorized to work in the United States 

and, therefore, may not accept 

employment under the F–2 

nonimmigrant status, consistent with 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(15)(i). 

Will the suspension of the applicability 

of the standard student employment 

requirements apply to an individual 

who receives an initial F–1 visa and 

makes an initial entry into the United 

States after the effective date of this 

notice in the Federal Register? 

No. The suspension of the 

applicability of the standard regulatory 

requirements only applies to certain F– 

1 nonimmigrant students who meet the 

following conditions: 

(1) Are a citizen of Ukraine regardless 

of country of birth (or an individual 

having no nationality who last 

habitually resided in Ukraine); 

(2) Were lawfully present in the 

United States on the date of publication 

of this notice in F–1 nonimmigrant 

status, under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of 

the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i); 

(3) Are enrolled in an academic 

institution that is SEVP-certified for 

enrollment of F–1 nonimmigrant 

students; 

(4) Are maintaining F–1 

nonimmigrant status; and 

(5) Are experiencing severe economic 

hardship as a direct result of the current 

armed conflict in Ukraine. 

An F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

does not meet all these requirements is 

ineligible for the suspension of the 

applicability of the standard regulatory 

requirements (even if experiencing 

severe economic hardship as a direct 

result of the current armed conflict in 

Ukraine). 

Does this notice apply to a continuing 

F–1 nonimmigrant student who departs 

the United States after the effective date 

of this notice in the Federal Register 

and who needs to obtain a new F–1 visa 

before returning to the United States to 

continue an educational program? 

Yes. This notice applies to such an F– 

1 nonimmigrant student, but only if the 

DSO has properly notated the student’s 

SEVIS record, which will then appear 

on the student’s Form I–20. The normal 

rules for visa issuance remain 

applicable to a nonimmigrant who 

needs to apply for a new F–1 visa to 

continue an educational program in the 

United States. 

Does this notice apply to elementary 

school, middle school, and high school 

students in F–1 status? 

Yes. However, this notice does not by 

itself reduce the required course load for 

F–1 nonimmigrant students from 

Ukraine enrolled in kindergarten 

through grade 12 at a private school, or 

grades 9 through 12 at a public high 

school. Such students must maintain 

the minimum number of hours of class 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2023 / Notices 56855 

25Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of April 19, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

26See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

27Minimum course load requirement for 

enrollment in a school must be established in a 

publicly available document (e.g., catalog, website, 

or operating procedure), and it must be a standard 

applicable to all students (U.S. citizens and foreign 

students) enrolled at the school. 

28See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

29Minimum course load requirement for 

enrollment in a school must be established in a 

publicly available document (e.g., catalog, website, 

or operating procedure), and it must be a standard 

applicable to all students (U.S. citizens and foreign 

students) enrolled at the school. 

30See 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(3)(iii). 

attendance per week prescribed by the 

academic institution for normal progress 

toward graduation, as required under 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(E). The suspension of 

certain regulatory requirements related 

to employment through this notice is 

applicable to all eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant students regardless of 

educational level. Eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant students from Ukraine 

enrolled in an elementary school, 

middle school, or high school may 

benefit from the suspension of the 

requirement in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i) that 

limits on-campus employment to 20 

hours per week while school is in 

session. 

On-Campus Employment Authorization 

Will an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

receives on-campus employment 

authorization under this notice be 

authorized to work more than 20 hours 

per week while school is in session? 

Yes. For an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student covered in this notice, the 

Secretary is suspending the 

applicability of the requirement in 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i) that limits an F–1 

nonimmigrant student’s on-campus 

employment to 20 hours per week while 

school is in session. An eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant student has authorization 

to work more than 20 hours per week 

while school is in session if the DSO has 

entered the following statement in the 

remarks field of the student’s SEVIS 

record, which will be reflected on the 

student’s Form I–20: 

Approved for more than 20 hours per 

week of on-campus employment and 

reduced course load, under the Special 

Student Relief authorization from [DSO 

must insert the beginning date of this 

notice or the beginning date of the 

student’s employment, whichever date 

is later] until [DSO must insert the 

student’s program end date or the end 

date of this notice, whichever date 

comes first].25

To obtain on-campus employment 

authorization, the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student must demonstrate to the DSO 

that the employment is necessary to 

avoid severe economic hardship directly 

resulting from the current armed 

conflict in Ukraine. An F–1 

nonimmigrant student authorized by the 

DSO to engage in on-campus 

employment by means of this notice 

does not need to file any applications 

with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 

Services (USCIS). The standard rules 

permitting full-time employment oncampus when school is not in session or 

during school vacations apply, as 

described in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i). 

Will an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

receives on-campus employment 

authorization under this notice have 

authorization to reduce the normal 

course load and still maintain his or 

her F–1 nonimmigrant student status? 

Yes. DHS will deem an F–1 

nonimmigrant student who receives oncampus employment authorization 

under this notice to be engaged in a 

‘‘full course of study’’ 26 for the purpose 

of maintaining their F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status for the duration of the oncampus employment, if the student 

satisfies the minimum course load 

requirement described in this notice, 

consistent with 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(F). 

However, the authorization to reduce 

the normal course load is solely for DHS 

purposes of determining valid F–1 

nonimmigrant student status. Nothing 

in this notice mandates that school 

officials allow an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student to take a reduced course load if 

the reduction would not meet the 

academic institution’s minimum course 

load requirement for continued 

enrollment.27

Off-Campus Employment Authorization 

What regulatory requirements does this 

notice temporarily suspend relating to 

off-campus employment? 

For an F–1 nonimmigrant student 

covered by this notice, as provided 

under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(ii)(A), the 

Secretary is suspending the following 

regulatory requirements relating to offcampus employment: 

(a) The requirement that a student 

must have been in F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status for one full academic year 

to be eligible for off-campus 

employment; 

(b) The requirement that an F–1 

nonimmigrant student must 

demonstrate that acceptance of 

employment will not interfere with the 

student’s carrying a full course of study; 

(c) The requirement that limits an F– 

1 nonimmigrant student’s employment 

authorization to no more than 20 hours 

per week of off-campus employment 

while the school is in session; and 

(d) The requirement that the student 

demonstrate that employment under 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i) is unavailable or 

otherwise insufficient to meet the needs 

that have arisen as a result of the 

unforeseen circumstances. 

Will an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

receives off-campus employment 

authorization under this notice have 

authorization to reduce the normal 

course load and still maintain F–1 

nonimmigrant status? 

Yes. DHS will deem an F–1 

nonimmigrant student who receives offcampus employment authorization by 

means of this notice to be engaged in a 

‘‘full course of study’’ 28 for the purpose 

of maintaining F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status for the duration of the 

student’s employment authorization if 

the student satisfies the minimum 

course load requirement described in 

this notice, consistent with 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(6)(i)(F). The authorization for a 

reduced course load is solely for DHS 

purposes of determining valid F–1 

nonimmigrant student status. Nothing 

in this notice mandates that school 

officials allow an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student to take a reduced course load if 

such reduced course load would not 

meet the school’s minimum course load 

requirement.29

How may an eligible F–1 nonimmigrant 

student obtain employment 

authorization for off-campus 

employment with a reduced course 

load under this notice? 

An F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

file a Form I–765, Application for 

Employment Authorization, with USCIS 

to apply for off-campus employment 

authorization based on severe economic 

hardship directly resulting from the 

current armed conflict in Ukraine.30

Filing instructions are located at https:// 

www.uscis.gov/i-765. 

Fee considerations. Submission of a 

Form I–765 currently requires payment 

of a $410 fee. An applicant who is 

unable to pay the fee may submit a 

completed Form I–912, Request for Fee 

Waiver, along with the Form I–765, 

Application for Employment 

Authorization. See https://

www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/ 

additional-information-on-filing-a-feeVerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Aug 18, 2023 Jkt 259001 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\21AUN1.SGM 21AUN1

ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
56856 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2023 / Notices 

31Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of April 19, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

32See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

33 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v). 

34 Guidance for direct filing addresses can be 

found here:https://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses. 

35See DHS Study in the States, Special Student 

Relief, https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/

special-student-relief (last visited May 10, 2023). 

waiver. The submission must include an 

explanation about why USCIS should 

grant the fee waiver and the reason(s) 

for the inability to pay, and any 

evidence to support the reason(s). See 8 

CFR 103.7(c) (Oct. 1, 2020). 

Supporting documentation. An F–1 

nonimmigrant student seeking offcampus employment authorization due 

to severe economic hardship must 

demonstrate the following to their DSO: 

(1) This employment is necessary to 

avoid severe economic hardship; and 

(2) The hardship is a direct result of 

the current armed conflict in Ukraine. 

If the DSO agrees that the F–1 

nonimmigrant student is entitled to 

receive such employment authorization, 

the DSO must recommend application 

approval to USCIS by entering the 

following statement in the remarks field 

of the student’s SEVIS record, which 

will then appear on that student’s Form 

I–20: 

Recommended for off-campus 

employment authorization in excess of 

20 hours per week and reduced course 

load under the Special Student Relief 

authorization from the date of the 

USCIS authorization noted on Form I– 

766 until [DSO must insert the program 

end date or the end date of this notice, 

whichever date comes first].31

The F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

then file the properly endorsed Form I– 

20 and Form I–765 according to the 

instructions for the Form I–765. The F– 

1 nonimmigrant student may begin 

working off campus only upon receipt 

of the EAD from USCIS. 

DSO recommendation. In making a 

recommendation that an F–1 

nonimmigrant student be approved for 

Special Student Relief, the DSO certifies 

that: 

(a) The F–1 nonimmigrant student is 

in good academic standing and is 

carrying a ‘‘full course of study’’ 32 at the 

time of the request for employment 

authorization; 

(b) The F–1 nonimmigrant student is 

a citizen of Ukraine, regardless of 

country of birth (or an individual having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Ukraine), and is experiencing 

severe economic hardship as a direct 

result of the current armed conflict in 

Ukraine, as documented on the Form I– 

20; 

(c) The F–1 nonimmigrant student has 

confirmed that the student will comply 

with the reduced course load 

requirements of this notice and register 

for the duration of the authorized 

employment for a minimum of six 

semester or quarter hours of instruction 

per academic term if at the 

undergraduate level, or for a minimum 

of three semester or quarter hours of 

instruction per academic term if the 

student is at the graduate level,33 and 

(d) The off-campus employment is 

necessary to alleviate severe economic 

hardship to the individual as a direct 

result of the current armed conflict in 

Ukraine. 

Processing. To facilitate prompt 

adjudication of the student’s application 

for off-campus employment 

authorization under 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(9)(ii)(C), the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student should do both of the following: 

(a) Ensure that the application 

package includes the following 

documents: 

(1) A completed Form I–765 with all 

applicable supporting evidence; 

(2) The required fee or properly 

documented fee waiver request as 

defined in 8 CFR 103.7(c) (Oct. 1, 2020); 

and 

(3) A signed and dated copy of the 

student’s Form I–20 with the 

appropriate DSO recommendation, as 

previously described in this notice; and 

(b) Send the application in an 

envelope which is clearly marked on the 

front of the envelope, bottom right-hand 

side, with the phrase ‘‘SPECIAL 

STUDENT RELIEF.’’ 34 Failure to 

include this notation may result in 

significant processing delays. 

If USCIS approves the student’s Form 

I–765, USCIS will send the student a 

Form I–766 EAD as evidence of 

employment authorization. The EAD 

will contain an expiration date that does 

not exceed the end of the granted 

temporary relief. 

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) 

Considerations 

Can an F–1 nonimmigrant student apply 

for TPS and for benefits under this 

notice at the same time? 

Yes. An F–1 nonimmigrant student 

who has not yet applied for TPS or for 

other relief that reduces the student’s 

course load per term and permits an 

increased number of work hours per 

week, such as Special Student Relief,35

under this notice has two options. 

Under the first option, the F–1 

nonimmigrant student may apply for 

TPS according to the instructions in the 

USCIS notice designating Ukraine for 

TPS elsewhere in this issue of the 

Federal Register. All TPS applicants 

must file a Form I–821, Application for 

Temporary Protected Status, with the 

appropriate fee (or request a fee waiver). 

Although not required to do so, if F–1 

nonimmigrant students want to obtain a 

new TPS-related EAD that is valid 

through April 19, 2025, and to be 

eligible for automatic EAD extensions 

that may be available to certain EADs 

with an A–12 or C–19 category code, 

they must file Form I–765 and pay the 

Form I–765 fee (or request a fee waiver). 

After receiving the TPS-related EAD, an 

F–1 nonimmigrant student may request 

that their DSO make the required entry 

in SEVIS and issue an updated Form I– 

20, which notates that the 

nonimmigrant student has been 

authorized to carry a reduced course 

load, as described in this notice. As long 

as the F–1 nonimmigrant student 

maintains the minimum course load 

described in this notice, does not 

otherwise violate their nonimmigrant 

status, including as provided under 8 

CFR 214.1(g), and maintains TPS, then 

the student maintains F–1 status and 

TPS concurrently. 

Under the second option, the F–1 

nonimmigrant student may apply for an 

EAD under Special Student Relief by 

filing Form I–765 with the location 

specified in the filing instructions. At 

the same time, the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student may file a separate TPS 

application but must submit the Form I– 

821 according to the instructions 

provided in the Federal Register notice 

designating Ukraine for TPS. If the F–1 

nonimmigrant student has already 

applied for employment authorization 

under Special Student Relief, they are 

not required to submit the Form I–765 

as part of the TPS application. However, 

some nonimmigrant students may wish 

to obtain a TPS-related EAD in light of 

certain extensions that may be available 

to EADs with an A–12 or C–19 category 

code that are not available to the C–3 

category under which Special Student 

Relief falls. The F–1 nonimmigrant 

student should check the appropriate 

box when filling out Form I–821 to 

indicate whether a TPS-related EAD is 

being requested. Again, so long as the 

F–1 nonimmigrant student maintains 

the minimum course load described in 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2023 / Notices 56857 

36See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

37Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of April 19, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

this notice and does not otherwise 

violate the student’s nonimmigrant 

status, included as provided under 8 

CFR 214.1(g), the nonimmigrant will be 

able to maintain compliance 

requirements for F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status while having TPS. 

When a student applies simultaneously 

for TPS and benefits under this notice, 

what is the minimum course load 

requirement while an application for 

employment authorization is pending? 

The F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

maintain normal course load 

requirements for a ‘‘full course of 

study’’ 36 unless or until the 

nonimmigrant student receives 

employment authorization under this 

notice. TPS-related employment 

authorization, by itself, does not 

authorize a nonimmigrant student to 

drop below twelve credit hours, or 

otherwise applicable minimum 

requirements (e.g., clock hours for nontraditional academic programs). Once 

approved for a TPS-related EAD and 

Special Student Relief employment 

authorization, as indicated by the DSO’s 

required entry in SEVIS and issuance of 

an updated Form I–20 , the F–1 

nonimmigrant student may drop below 

twelve credit hours, or otherwise 

applicable minimum requirements (with 

a minimum of six semester or quarter 

hours of instruction per academic term 

if at the undergraduate level, or for a 

minimum of three semester or quarter 

hours of instruction per academic term 

if at the graduate level). See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(5)(v), (f)(6), and (f)(9)(i) and (ii). 

How does a student who has received 

a TPS-related EAD then apply for 

authorization to take a reduced course 

load under this notice? 

There is no further application 

process with USCIS if a student has 

been approved for a TPS-related EAD. 

The F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

demonstrate and provide 

documentation to the DSO of the direct 

economic hardship resulting from the 

current armed conflict in Ukraine. The 

DSO will then verify and update the 

student’s record in SEVIS to enable the 

F–1 nonimmigrant student with TPS to 

reduce the course load without any 

further action or application. No other 

EAD needs to be issued for the F–1 

nonimmigrant student to have 

employment authorization. 

Can a noncitizen who has been granted 

TPS apply for reinstatement of F–1 

nonimmigrant student status after the 

noncitizen’s F–1 nonimmigrant student 

status has lapsed? 

Yes. Regulations permit certain 

students who fall out of F–1 

nonimmigrant student status to apply 

for reinstatement. See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(16). This provision may apply 

to students who worked on a TPSrelated EAD or dropped their course 

load before publication of this notice, 

and therefore fell out of student status. 

These students must satisfy the criteria 

set forth in the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status reinstatement regulations. 

How long will this notice remain in 

effect? 

This notice grants temporary relief 

until April 19, 2025,37 to eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant students. DHS will 

continue to monitor the situation in 

Ukraine. Should the special provisions 

authorized by this notice need 

modification or extension, DHS will 

announce such changes in the Federal 

Register. 

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 

An F–1 nonimmigrant student seeking 

off-campus employment authorization 

due to severe economic hardship 

resulting from the current armed 

conflict in Ukraine must demonstrate to 

the DSO that this employment is 

necessary to avoid severe economic 

hardship. A DSO who agrees that a 

nonimmigrant student should receive 

such employment authorization must 

recommend an application approval to 

USCIS by entering information in the 

remarks field of the student’s SEVIS 

record. The authority to collect this 

information is in the SEVIS collection of 

information currently approved by the 

Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) under OMB Control Number 

1653–0038. 

This notice also allows an eligible F– 

1 nonimmigrant student to request 

employment authorization, work an 

increased number of hours while the 

academic institution is in session, and 

reduce their course load while 

continuing to maintain F–1 

nonimmigrant student status. 

To apply for employment 

authorization, certain F–1 

nonimmigrant students must complete 

and submit a currently approved Form 

I–765 according to the instructions on 

the form. OMB has previously approved 

the collection of information contained 

on the current Form I–765, consistent 

with the PRA (OMB Control No. 1615– 

0040). Although there will be a slight 

increase in the number of Form I–765 

filings because of this notice, the 

number of filings currently contained in 

the OMB annual inventory for Form I– 

765 is sufficient to cover the additional 

filings. Accordingly, there is no further 

action required under the PRA. 

Alejandro Mayorkas, 

Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland 

Security. 

[FR Doc. 2023–17872 Filed 8–18–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9111–28–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement 

[Docket No. ICEB–2023–0004] 

RIN 1653–ZA39 

Employment Authorization for 

Sudanese F–1 Nonimmigrant Students 

Experiencing Severe Economic 

Hardship as a Direct Result of the 

Current Crisis in Sudan 

AGENCY: U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement; Department of Homeland 

Security. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces that 

the Secretary of Homeland Security 

(Secretary) is suspending certain 

regulatory requirements for F–1 

nonimmigrant students whose country 

of citizenship is Sudan, regardless of 

country of birth (or individuals having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Sudan), and who are 

experiencing severe economic hardship 

as a direct result of the current crisis in 

Sudan. The Secretary is taking action to 

provide relief to these Sudanese 

students who are in lawful F–1 

nonimmigrant student status, so the 

students may request employment 

authorization, work an increased 

number of hours while school is in 

session, and reduce their course load 

while continuing to maintain their F–1 

nonimmigrant student status. The U.S. 

Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS) will deem an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student granted employment 

authorization by means of this notice to 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1